Kia goes up market with Optima/Magentis
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The first generation Kia Optima/Magentis represented value. The second generation improved on that. Although it wasn’t not the segment leader, or the most powerful, or the best-known model but it did offer a combination of an attractive price, a spacious interior and stylish appearance after its facelift in 2009. The third generation all-new Optima launched last month in Muscat is an image turner for Kia Motors and comes at a time when there is intense competition in the segment for midsize saloons.
For a model that started its career as a very appealing and logical choice for the sensible consumer looking for a lot of value for the money, the third generation is a stunning revelation. A completely fresh design from the ground up, Kia’s popular mid-sized Optima is absolutely transformed, embodying a bold, athletic and sporty visual energy, thanks to the various design teams working under design director Peter Shreyer. Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California, the all-new Optima is longer, wider and lower (by 45, 25 and 25 mm, respectively), than the outgoing model.
“With the all-new Optima, our global design team has created a vehicle with distinctive dimensions and proportions that stands apart from everything else in its segment. Using an all-new platform the new Optima moves our mid-size saloon product up to the next level of Kia’s design revolution. Customer clinics with the new Optima have generated strongly positive responses and we are confident that our latest model will greatly increase Kia’s share of the mid-size saloon market around the world, said Hyoung-Keun Lee, vice -chairman, Kia Motors Corporation.
Kia’s product concept behind the creation of new Optima had focused on four key areas including stand-out styling, class-leading performance, superior packaging and a host of customer focused options. Optima models will be offer to consumers with a choice of two normally aspirated four cylinder petrol engines - 2.4-litre MPI multi-point injection unit and a 2.0-litre with six-speed automatic transmissions. Two equipment levels, LX and EX will also be offered from Reliable International Automotive, the official retailers in Oman.